THE CURSE OF INTELLIGENCE: THE LONE GENIUS AND THE MAD SCIENTIST
THE CURSE OF INTELLIGENCE: THE LONE GENIUS AND THE MAD SCIENTIST

Summary/Abstract: This paper analyzes the image of the lone genius and that of the mad scientist in scholarly literature and investigates the downsides of high intelligence and creativity. A review of relevant academic work reveals that these matters are very much debated in the scientific community, with some researchers dismissing such ideas as myths, and others bringing evidence to support their validity. Behind the romanticized representation of the individualistic lone genius and the anecdotal tale of the mad scientist, there are clues that set a connection between myth and reality. Scientific and artistic intelligence are examined in relation to loneliness and madness, looking to clarify the associations between high cognitive or creative ability and some mental health issues and their implications. Certain personality traits, ways of thinking and ways of responding to stimuli, were found to increase the vulnerability of highly intelligent or creative people to issues such as loneliness, mood disturbances, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, and even physiological diseases, addiction to alcohol and other illicit substances. Genius, loneliness and madness are not inherently akin, but they share common ground and their intersection points act as quirks that ultimately enable highly intelligent and creative individuals to think outside the box, spawn original ideas, have a visionary perspective and achieve the outstanding. A small experiment is conducted to explore the link between creativity, loneliness and mood swings.

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